Sourcing Manager (Starlink Aviation)

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars. SOURCING MANAGER (STARLINK AVIATION) The Starlink Aviation team is developing in flight connectivity solutions for aircraft that connect to the Starlink constellation and provide an amazing customer experience in flight. As a Sourcing Manager, you will be responsible for managing the supply chain for Starlink products across a variety of airframes and enterprise platforms. To capitalize on SpaceX’s technological and market changing successes, our team is managing an agile yet robust supply chain that will enable a competitive advantage for the company. This position requires the ability to work with strategy, planning, engineering, finance, and legal teams, as well as third-parties such as partners and suppliers. The role demands strong quantitative and analytical skills, critical thinking, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously. The ideal candidate will have a successful track record sourcing high-mix medium volume custom parts and assemblies, developing and executing strategy, negotiating agreements and statements of work, defining internal process flows and improving efficiency, and managing supplier performance. Experience working in new and ambiguous environments while solving complex problems with a broad range of cross functional stakeholders will be key to success. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Develop strong relationships with internal stakeholders, understanding their needs and consulting with them to build quality procurement strategies aligned to business requirements. • Be the voice of reason and push engineering to make sound design decisions that are conducive to a high performing supply plan • Drive make vs. buy decisions for new products and implement the strategy across the product lifecycle from development, qualification, and first article runs through stable production • Manage contracts to ensure the performance of the supplier to contract obligations and ensure delivery, including expediting as necessary and reacting quickly to demand changes • Manage all relevant master data in MRP to ensure accurate and complete information at all times. Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure demand signal accuracy and acceptable line of balance with supply • Drive culture and projects to align with Supplier Scorecard and leading indicators, such as PO acknowledgement, on time delivery, promise data usage, compliance, etc. • Coordinate with engineering and quality organizations to direct and execute initiatives that support aggressive improvements in supplier quality, total cost effectiveness, enhanced service levels, improved coordination, delivery, pricing, lead-times, payment, risk compliance, and other areas as identified • Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing plan that identifies new/suitable suppliers, optimizes cost structures, and proactively ensures continuity of supply based on macro market or industry trends. • Manage the supply base by implementing a precise supplier stratification model and executing a documented supplier management playbook • Build genuine relationships both internally and externally drive cross-functional teams to achieve the best outcome for SpaceX • Understand the technical aspects of the manufacturing process and compliance landscape to identify opportunities and implement optimizations for cost, space, and process optimization and use data analytics to identify and parse process related opportunities, both internally and externally • Communicate overall status to the management team including schedules, risks and mitigation actions and respond quickly to changes to the overall goals, schedule, and architecture • Execute purchasing transactions within scope area by issuing purchase orders in a timely manner without error. Resolve invoice issues and ensure on time payment BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years of experience working in one or more of the following; or 9+ years of experience working in one or more of the following in lieu of a degree: • Engineering • Purchasing • Contract negotiation • Material or production planning • Operations or supply chain management • Material cost control • Master production scheduling PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: • 3+ years of technical procurement experience in electronics or mechanical commodities, preferably in the aerospace industry • Experience working with both international and US domestic suppliers • Established relationships and familiarity working with aircraft component vendors. • Knowledge of raw material, machining, fabrication, PCBA, harnessing, or electro-mechanical assemblies • Familiar with AS9100 and FAA requirements. Experience working in a highly regulated environment • Experience in product development (EVT), new product introduction (NPI) and mass production (MP) • Material management and CTB (Clear to Build) proficiency • Proven success working on cross-functional new product introduction projects, completing should cost models, and negotiating • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and purchasing/planning functions • Exceptional written, verbal and presentation communication skills • Ability to identify and resolve technical, operational and organizational problems with risk based decision making • Detail-oriented, self-motivated and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment • Ability to conduct all activities with the highest level of integrity ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: • Ability to work extended hours and some nights and weekends when needed • Ability to travel and communicate outside of work hours - up to 50% work week travel may be required, including